MESSAGE OF CLEANLINESS RESONATES THROUGH MUSIC

MESSAGE OF CLEANLINESS RESONATES THROUGH MUSIC

2-NOV-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------In the town of Bihia, located in the Bhojpur district, artists are spreading the message of cleanliness by leveraging the local language—Bhojpuri—along with traditional music and a distinct, homegrown style. With the arrival of Diwali and Chhath Puja, a special awareness campaign is underway, aimed at making Bihia a clean, beautiful, and healthy town.

Under the directives of the Urban Development and Housing Department, and coordinated by Sanitation Officer Abhishek Raj, artists are performing street plays in various public spaces across the town. Through programs held at temples, schools, and other prominent locations, the public is being sensitized about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness.

A unique aspect of this campaign is the use of the Bhojpuri language and local folk culture as a medium for raising awareness. Through Bhojpuri folk songs, dialogues, and performances, the artists are effectively conveying the significance of cleanliness to the general public.

The charm of the Bhojpuri language, combined with traditional melodies and a familiar, local touch, has made it easy for the community to connect with these programs. Through songs and plays, residents are being urged to keep their homes, neighborhoods, and the town itself clean.

The programs emphasize that, through collective effort, Bihia can be transformed into a place as beautiful as paradise. People are being encouraged to clear away filth from their surroundings and to refrain from littering in public spaces.

Artists have reached out to the public by performing street plays and folk songs at 15 different locations across the town. At these events—held at temples, schools, and other public areas—locals are being informed about essential practices for maintaining cleanliness.

Through their performances, the artists are highlighting that the town cannot be kept clean solely by sanitation workers; every citizen must take responsibility and play their part.

During the street plays, the public is also being educated on the importance of segregating waste by placing wet and dry trash into separate dustbins. Instructions are also being provided on the correct methods for collecting waste and disposing of it at designated locations.

People are being urged not to discard household waste on streets, in drains, or in public spaces. Instead, they are asked to hand it over to municipal sanitation staff and to ensure that no litter is left on the streets after the waste has been collected.

Through various programs, people are being informed that cleanliness is directly linked to health. The presence of filth in one's surroundings increases the risk of the spread of various diseases.

A clean environment has a positive impact on public health. Given the high volume of foot traffic in public areas during festivals, maintaining cleanliness and focusing on effective waste management is of utmost importance.

During this campaign, the Executive Officer of the Nagar Panchayat, Shubham Kumar, and the Chief Councilor, Sachin Kumar Gupta, are actively participating and raising awareness about cleanliness among the public.

Executive Officer Shubham Kumar stated that efforts are being made to explain the importance of cleanliness to residents through street plays (nukkad nataks). He emphasized that people should incorporate the messages conveyed by the performers into their daily lives.

He noted that maintaining cleanliness in and around one's home leads to better health, whereas the accumulation of waste creates a risk for the spread of various illnesses.

The Executive Officer appealed to the public not to litter the streets again after the sanitation workers have collected the waste. He urged residents to cooperate with the municipal authorities in keeping their homes, surroundings, and public pathways clean.

Chief Councilor Sachin Kumar Gupta also appealed to the residents to maintain cleanliness, stressing that the participation of every citizen is essential to building a clean town.

Beyond promoting awareness about cleanliness, this campaign also fosters Bhojpuri folk culture. Important social messages are being communicated to the public through the use of the local language and traditional art forms. In preparation for Diwali and Chhath Puja, the Nagar Panchayat is appealing for active cooperation from the public to help make the town of Bihiya clean, beautiful, and healthy. The organizers of the campaign believe that when the message of cleanliness is conveyed through the local language and folk art, it has a greater impact on the people.